Stakeholders in the tourism industry will converge on South Africa for this year’s Meetings Africa, one of the continent’s largest business exhibitions. The event, scheduled for February 28 to March 1, 2023, will feature participants from 21 African countries—an increase over previous editions.
Speaking with The … about the event’s significance, Mr. Wale Olopade, National Public Relations Officer of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, highlighted its potential for connectivity and collaboration across the continent. He noted that Africa’s market attracts global interest and emphasized the need for African unity: “This event will bring Africa together to think outside the box, seek windows of connectivity, and foster collaboration. The new business model is collaboration. There is always sabotage from the Western world. If Africa is not together, we cannot achieve anything. Africa is the goldmine that the world is looking for. No country elsewhere does not want to do business with the continent.”
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism, Themba Khumalo, said the growing number of African exhibitors signals that leaders across the continent recognize the business events industry as vital to their economies. He explained that as Africa’s economy moves toward a technologically driven future characterized by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, more nations are developing their business events sectors to attract foreign investors and companies. “We have the technological and infrastructural capabilities to host big events, much like other industrialised nations. Coupled with African hospitality and warmth, this creates a kaleidoscopic experience that immerses you in the fabric of this great continent,” Khumalo said.
Khumalo also highlighted the quality of participants, noting an independent vetting process that selects only the best buyers worldwide. As a result, 275 buyers from 45 countries have been approved to attend the trade show.
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